CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE UNIT HOST BRONX SURVIVORS ANNUAL CLOTHESLINE PROJECT DISPLAY AND INFORMATION FAIR
In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, The Bronx District Attorney’s, Crime Victims Assistance Unit, along with allied professionals and community volunteers, will host the Bronx Clothesline Project, a massive visual presentation and information fair.
For decades, women have communicated with each other while hanging clothes. This medium offers a back to basics approach to displaying artwork created on these T-shirts. It is symbolically a way of airing society’s dirty laundry. Two major objectives of the Clothesline Project are to increase awareness of the magnitude of violence that is committed against men, women and children, while simultaneously offering support and inspiration to survivors and their families. This year’s theme, in the aftermath of September 11th, is "Bringing Honor to Victims". This theme is reflective of the country’s heightened awareness of the harsh and tragic impact of crime on victims, while underscoring the critical importance of helping victims rebuild their lives.
Mr. Johnson said "This exhibit is a poignant reminder that news headlines and crime statistics are about tragic and painful events in the lives of real people. It puts a human face on our continuing efforts to combat crime and certainly should increase everyone’s respect for the courage and tenacity of those who manage to survive the often brutal criminal conduct of others".
Beth Ann Holzay, the Director of the Bronx District Attorney’s Crime Victims Assistance Unit, said "the Clothesline bears witness to the courage of the survivors and helps them in healing following their experiences of loss and victimization".
Laws protecting the rights of crime victims have been passed at the federal, state and local levels giving victim’s legal rights. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity to support victims by drawing attention to those laws, and to thank those who serve them. The clothesline project will be on display Wednesday, April 24, 2002 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Thursday, April 25, 2002 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse, in the Veterans Memorial Hall, on the first floor.
This event is co-sponsored by a broad coalition of advocates and service providers. The list of supporters are as follows:
| The Bronx Borough President’s Office |
New York State Crime Victims Board, |
Safe Horizon-Criminal Court, |
Safe Horizon-Bronx Families of Homicide Victims Program, |
Safe Horizon-Family Court, |
| Safe Horizon Domestic Violence, |
Safe Horizon Clairmont Community Office, |
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Child Sexual Abuse & Treatment Prevention Program, |
Fordham Tremont Community Health Center Family Crisis Services, |
Bronx Independent Living Services, |
| SCAN-Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network, |
Aging in America Community Services, |
Human Resource Administration – Office of Constituents and Community Affairs, |
Human Resource Administration Food Stamp Nutrition & Outreach Program, |
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, |
| East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance Crime Victims Program, |
Sanctuary for Families Bronx Non-Residential Program, |
Bronx Felony Domestic Violence Court, |
Commission on Human Rights, |
South Bronx Chapter, |
| SAKHI for South Asian Women, |
Liberty Project, |
Institute of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly, |
Health Plus |
Department of Health Office of Community Relations |
Bronx District Attorney’s Crime Victims Assistance Unit. |
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